For as long as space endures
And for as long as living beings remain
Until then may I too abide
To dispel the misery of the world.
the way of the bodhisattva – shantideva – 8th century
About ten years ago, when I was in a period of going deep into my inner world, I was listening a lot to Tara Brach and her teachings.
I also came across this prayer.
The first time I heard it, I got goosebumps because it spoke so deeply to my soul. Later, I used to carry it with me on my phone and look at it to remind myself of what really matters.
It was a long time ago now, and I haven’t thought of the prayer for years, but today, as I was meditating with my eyes open, it came to me again.
So, I decided to share it with you. To remind ourselves what really matters and to focus on that even when times are difficult.
Love and healing happen in the simple things. In connection, in being here fully, in taking in what is happening without escaping it in our minds.
If we allow ourselves to stop and feel, to see each other and connect, we allow ourselves and each other to be and be real again.
There is, ultimately, no other way to stop the human suffering than to stop running. It’s so easy to escape the pain and suffering in our world by rationalizing it, by putting concepts on what is happening so that we don’t have to feel.
And yet, we need to feel. We need to experience. And we need to see each other without the veils of concepts. And as I remember Tara saying, to ask ourselves, “What is it like to be you right now?”. And really open ourselves to be with that.
There wouldn’t be hate if we all did that.
No one can do it all or fix all the world’s problems, but we can all do something.
We can be there for someone. We can love each other by being there with our full attention.
It takes strength and commitment to do that. To not run away from what’s difficult. But unless we stop running, we will run forever.
We can’t open up to everything and everyone at all times. If we did, we would be overwhelmed and unable to do anything.
But we can all focus on doing something. And give our full attention to that.
And give our attention to where we are right now. To the people and situations that have been placed in our lives. We can stop and be with them. Wholeheartedly.
And we can all pray for the well-being of our human family.
With love,
